The Red Mist Gas

The Red Mist Gas
Scene at the forward depot near Salt Creek following the breach of the primary containment vessel, November 14, 2037
Also known as	Project Paralysis
Synthesis start	Late 2035
First field deployment	November 2037
Primary production site	Stanton Island
Intended target	Veyari civilian populations
Strategic objective	Induce rapid respiratory paralysis
Status as of 2063	Discontinued following Salt Creek Incident

The Red Mist Gas, also known internally as Project Paralysis, was a volatile chemical mixture synthesized in clandestine laboratories on Stanton Island during the early years of the Protectorate Wars. Developed by the ██████████████████████████ under the directive of Marshal Hjalmar Sorn, the substance was intended to induce rapid respiratory paralysis in hostile Rendorlin civilian populations. The strategic objective was to compel surrender in the coastal districts without inflicting direct combat casualties on █lmarkan forces. Initial testing occurred in isolated containment units before the first field deployment in late 2037, marking a significant escalation in the asymmetrical tactics employed by the █lmarkan Empire1.

Synthesis of the mixture began in late 2035 following the outbreak of the Protectorate Wars, which commenced with the █lmarkan landing at Port Ysa on the north-eastern coast of Rendorlin. The gas was designed specifically for use against the Veyari population, whose defensive capabilities were deemed insufficient to warrant conventional bombardment. Production facilities were established in secret locations, primarily on Stanton Island, a territory designated as "held, not used" by the ██████████████████████████ reports of 2033^[2]. The chemical formula remained classified until the events at Salt Creek, with distribution managed exclusively through high-priority logistics channels supervised by the ██████████████████████████.

On the morning of 14 November 2037, a transport convoy carrying three tons of Red Mist Gas departed Stanton Island for a forward depot near the coastal town of Salt Creek. During transit across the coastal highway in the Commonwealth of Lyras, a refrigeration unit failure caused a partial breach in the primary containment vessel. The gas dispersed rapidly into the low-lying residential district before emergency responders could contain it, leading to immediate and severe casualties. Approximately 420 civilians suffered acute respiratory distress within minutes; 89 died within six hours from hypoxia-induced cardiac arrest^[3]. The resulting chaos triggered a violent mob uprising in Salt Creek. Residents, driven by desperation and anger at the loss of life, breached the perimeter of the forward storage facility. In the ensuing destruction, the convoy's secondary containment was also compromised, releasing vapors that contaminated the local aquifer used by the town. The reinforced concrete silos meant to hold the substance were destroyed during the riot, ensuring that the material could not be recovered or redeployed. This incident effectively ended the initial field trials of the agent and drew intense scrutiny from international observers^[4].

The ██████████████████████████ launched an internal inquiry in December 2037 to determine the cause of the breach and the subsequent unauthorized release. Testimony from convoy driver █████ Vorne indicated that modifications to the transport schedule had been ordered by a mid-level logistics officer shortly before departure. These alterations reportedly delayed the convoy, forcing it into traffic patterns that overtaxed the cooling systems^[5]. The investigation was closed in January 2038 following testimony that the schedule modification was standard procedure for 'high-priority' shipments destined for contested zones. No criminal charges were filed against any individual involved in

• Protectorate Wars
• ██████████████████████████
• Sable Creek Incident